40 THE WORLD'S WORKERS. 



Thomas Moore, Campbell, Macaulay, Sir James 

 Mackintosh, and professors, authors, and scientists 

 without number, were in their prime at that time, 

 and Mr. and Mrs. Somerville met them frequently 

 in society. 



But, indeed, to go through the list of persons 

 known to the Somervilles is like going through a list 

 of the literary celebrities of the time. Those who 

 knew her well, however, have told us that Mrs. 

 Somerville was always very quiet and modest in her 

 behaviour at these gatherings. She was naturally 

 timid, and quite unable to argue in public, even when 

 she knew that she was right " The only thing," she 

 says, " in which I was determined and inflexible was 

 the prosecution of my studies. They were per- 

 petually interrupted, but always resumed at the first 

 opportunity. I do not think I err much in saying 

 that perseverance is a characteristic of mine." 



A great sorrow now befell the Somervilles. Their 

 eldest daughter, a lovely and affectionate girl, was 

 taken ill, and after suffering for a long time, died. 

 Mrs. Somerville had already lost several children, 

 but they had, for the most part, died in infancy. 

 This young girl was intelligent beyond her years, 

 and specially dear to both her parents. The event 

 is of interest to us, because in connection with it 

 we are allowed one glimpse into the mother's feelings. 

 A little while after her daughter was taken from 

 her, Mrs. Somerville wrote to her father-in-law, Dr. 



